Award recognizes farmers serving as local leaders in environmental stewardship

DES MOINES - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today reminded farmers that nominations for the 2013 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards are due by June 15, 2013.   The award recognizes the efforts of Iowa's farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality.

Nomination forms can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov under "Hot Topics."

"These awards are an opportunity to recognize the many farmers that are taking significant voluntary steps to protect the soil and improve water quality here in Iowa," Branstad and Reynolds said.  "Iowa farmers take great pride in caring for the soil and water, and we want to lift them up as examples for other farmers to follow."

The award is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources and it seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actions of farmers that improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state while also encouraging other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building success upon success.

Farmers that are nominated should have made environmental stewardship a priority on their farm and adopted best management practices throughout their farming operation.  As true stewards of the land, they recognize that improved water quality and soil sustainability reaps benefits that extend beyond their fields to citizens of Iowa and residents even further downstream.

An appointed committee of representatives from both conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners.

The recipients will be recognized at the Iowa State Fair on Thursday, August 15 at the Penningroth Center.  A lunch for award winners sponsored by Hagie will follow at the Farm Bureau shelter house on the fairgrounds.

The award was created in 2012 and 67 Iowa farm families were recognized during the inaugural award ceremony at the Iowa State Fair.  Winners receive a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto.

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5th Annual Showcased Talent

DYC YOUTH EXPLOSION

Sunday, June 9, 2013 @ 4:00 p.m.

Palmer College West Hall (Room W210)

(Across from Central High School's south parking lot)

$5.00 Donation, $7.00 at the door.

Open to ALL youth

Add your talent, contact by 6/3/13

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 563-505-0903

Sponsored by NAACP Davenport Youth Council #47AA

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Branstad today signed the following legislation into law:

House File 119: An Act relating to County Attorney duties when representing the Department of Human Services in juvenile court.

House File 586: An Act relating to the rulemaking process and state agency decision making.

House File 590: An Act relating to child abuse reporting, assessment procedures, and placement on the central registry for child abuse, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

House File 592: An Act relating to payments from the indigent defense fund by the State Public Defender.

House File 615: An Act relating to the innovation fund investment tax credit and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

House File 632: An Act relating to the assessment of certain real estate used in the cultivation and production of algae, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

House File 641: An Act authorizing the establishment of reinvestment districts following approval of the Economic Development Authority Board, providing for the remittance of certain state sales tax revenues and certain state hotel and motel tax revenues to municipalities, establishing a state reinvestment district fund, and making appropriations.

House File 644: An Act relating to enhanced E911 emergency communication systems, and providing penalties.

Strike out on the Inca trail as the Quad City Symphony Orchestra presents Caminos del Inka on June 1 at the Figge Art Museum. Accompanied by a choreographed visual slide show and documentary footage, QCSO principal flutist Jessica Waren-Acosta and harpist Marguerite Lynn Williams perform music from South America. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with free hor d'oeuvres and a cash bar and guided tours of the Figge Art Museum. The concert will begin at 8:00 p.m.

An audiovisual presentation containing documentary style photos and video is choreographed to the music. These images enhance the audiences understanding of the cultural and historical aspects of the music. Caminos del Inka works closely with traditional musicians from the Americas to create the most acurate educational film. As a result of their work, people will be able to access and enjoy the rich music and more thoroughly understand the historical and cultural context.

 As part of a collaboration with the Figge Art Museum, docents will be giving tours of their Art and Devotion in Viceregal New Spain exhibit from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Focusing on the Spanish colonial period of present-day Mexico and Central America, this gallery includes a large collection of religious and devotional art. These works frequently were used in the religious rites and ceremonies of the liturgy or for private devotion. Indeed, an inextricable bond existed between the Church and the image-making traditions of Hispanic cultures.

Performing in this concert is Jessica Warren-Acosta, principal flute of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Warren-Acosta has concertized on three continents and appeared as a soloist with the Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore, Fort Worth, and Omaha Symphony Orchestras among others, as well as at numerous international music festivals including the Spoleto USA Festival where she gave the American Premiere of Pascal Dusapin's Flute Concerto, "Galim."

Joining Ms. Warren-Acosta is Principal Harpist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Marguerite Lynn Williams. Ms. Williams has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra member. She has been awarded prizes in numerous competitions including the American Harp Society's National Competition. She has appeared with the Chicago Symphony, Minnesota, Milwaukee Symphony, Ravinia Festival, Toronto Symphony, and San Diego Symphony Orchestra.

Seating is limited, so buy your ticket today by clicking here.